Bolivian Pres. accuses US of backing separatists in Bolivia

Bolivian President Evo Morales accused the United States of funding opposition groups with at least US$4 million to destabilize his government, according to telesur website.

During the 30th anniversary celebration of the establishment of the country’s anti-narcotics special forces on Tuesday, Morales said, “According to e-mails, between 2006 and 2009, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) poured at least four million dollars into separatist movements” in four of the nine regions of Bolivia.

In 2008, four out of nine Bolivian regions carried out referendums in order to form autonomous governments. According to Morales the referendum organizers were connected to separatist efforts.

He then noted on his personal Twitter account that Washington had paid this money to the opponents “who have committed terrorist acts in order to divide us (in 2008).”

At the end of 2008, Morales expelled former U.S. Ambassador to Bolivia Philip S. Goldberg as well as all personnel from the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), accusing them of conspiring against his government.

The White House denied these charges and, in response, expelled Bolivian Ambassador to the US.

According to Morales, his government has had access to thousands of diplomatic cables from WikiLeaks showing how the White House has sponsored the attacks against his government since his arrival to power in 2006.

In his speech, the Bolivian president stressed the commitment of the police and the armed forces, together with the Bolivian people, who defeated the plots.

Morales also reiterated that Washington “had planned a coup against Bolivia” this year.